Travis Shumake Bio
Travis Cody Shumake is an American drag racer, team owner, and LGBTQ+ advocate who competes in the NHRA Top Fuel category. He is recognized as the first openly gay driver to regularly compete at the top level of any global touring motorsports league. Shumake owns and operates Shumake Racing while building a career in professional drag racing.
Early Life and Background
Travis Cody Shumake was born on August 10, 1984, in Phoenix, Arizona. He is the son of NHRA Funny Car legend Tripp Shumake and Susie Shumake, a skilled mechanic and member of the Arizona Drag Racing Hall of Fame. Following his father’s passing in 1999, Shumake initially shifted focus from racing to competitive cheerleading, eventually earning a collegiate scholarship to Northern Arizona University.
During his time at Northern Arizona University, Shumake served as student body president and was active in Sigma Chi and athletics. He received the university’s True Blue and Gold Award, was crowned Homecoming King, and was named Greek Life Man of the Year. His educational background and leadership skills would later inform his approach to both nonprofit work and motorsports team management.
Path to NASCAR
Inspired by his late father’s legacy, Shumake returned to the dragstrip in 2021. He earned a series of NHRA licenses through training at Frank Hawley Drag Racing School and completed licensing runs at major venues including Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Firebird Motorsports Park, Gainesville Raceway, and the Texas Motorplex. His return to racing marked the beginning of a journey that would lead him to the professional ranks of drag racing.
Travis Shumake Career
Early Career (2021-2023)
Shumake made his Top Alcohol Dragster debut in 2022, driving for Randy Meyer Racing at the Menards NHRA Nationals in Topeka, Kansas. During this race, he became the target of a protest by the Westboro Baptist Church. He responded by embracing his identity, debuting rainbow parachutes sponsored by Grindr. In his second race in Top Alcohol, driving the Sheetz dragster, Shumake advanced to the semifinals of the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals in Reading, Pennsylvania, securing back-to-back hole shot wins.
NHRA Top Fuel Breakthrough (2024-2025)
Shumake earned his Top Fuel license in fall 2023 behind the wheel of a dragster purchased from Scrappers Racing and Mike Salinas. He made his professional Top Fuel debut at the 2024 NHRA Arizona Nationals in Phoenix. Shumake finished 23rd in the 2024 Top Fuel Points Championship, establishing himself as a competitor in the series.
In March 2025, Shumake achieved a notable milestone by setting the Top Speed of Eliminations at the Arizona Nationals with a 330.88 MPH pass in the first round against former world champion Doug Kalitta. This performance highlighted his rapid progression in Top Fuel competition. In April 2025, he was profiled in Drag Racing’s annual list of “Movers, Shakers, and Deal Makers,” recognizing both his on-track success and quick ascent into the top of the sport.
While Shumake currently owns his race team, Shumake Racing operates as a team car to Jasmine Salinas under the Scrappers Racing umbrella. He is pursuing sponsorship opportunities to run additional races during the 2025 season. His team structure allows him to compete at the professional level while building his own racing organization.
Driving Style and Strengths
Shumake has demonstrated strong hole shot capabilities, as evidenced by his semifinal advancement in Top Alcohol competition. His ability to achieve high speeds, including his 330.88 MPH pass in 2025, reflects his continued development in Top Fuel drag racing. He balances technical racing skills with effective team management as both a driver and team owner.
Notable Races and Milestones
The 2024 NHRA Arizona Nationals marked Shumake’s professional Top Fuel debut in his hometown of Phoenix. His 330.88 MPH pass at the 2025 Arizona Nationals against Doug Kalitta stands as a significant career performance. His semifinal appearance in Top Alcohol competition at Reading, Pennsylvania, demonstrated his competitive potential early in his professional return.
Travis Shumake Career Wins
Shumake has advanced through the ranks of drag racing, securing notable finishes in Top Alcohol Dragster and establishing himself in NHRA Top Fuel competition. His career highlights include semifinal appearances and competitive performances in professional events.
NHRA Top Fuel Highlights
Shumake earned his Top Fuel license in 2023 and made his professional debut in 2024 at the Arizona Nationals. His 23rd-place finish in the 2024 Top Fuel Points Championship and his 330.88 MPH top-speed performance in March 2025 mark significant achievements in his developing Top Fuel career.
Other Wins & Performances
In Top Alcohol Dragster competition, Shumake advanced to the semifinals at the 2022 Pep Boys NHRA Nationals in Reading, Pennsylvania. This performance included back-to-back hole shot wins and demonstrated his competitive capabilities at the professional drag racing level.
Travis Shumake Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Shumake comes from a distinguished drag racing family. His father, Tripp Shumake, was an NHRA Funny Car legend, and his mother, Susie Shumake, is a skilled mechanic who has been inducted into the Arizona Drag Racing Hall of Fame. This racing heritage provided the foundation for his eventual return to motorsports.
Personal Life
Shumake is openly gay and has been a visible advocate for inclusion in motorsports. He became engaged to his partner, Daryl, on Christmas Night 2024 on the deck of the Staten Island Ferry in New York City. Their engagement received coverage from Outsports and other LGBTQ+ media outlets. Shumake regularly appears in publications such as The Advocate, Outsports, Queerty, and the Human Rights Campaign Magazine.
Before returning to racing, Shumake built a successful career in nonprofit development. He held leadership roles at organizations including one·n·ten, the Clinton Foundation, and currently serves at the Ali Forney Center, focusing on LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness. He has served on multiple boards, including Phoenix Suns Charities 88 and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central and Northern Arizona.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a year of notable performances and recognition for Shumake. In March, he achieved the Top Speed of Eliminations at the Arizona Nationals with a 330.88 MPH pass against former champion Doug Kalitta. This performance underscored his continued development in Top Fuel competition. In April, he was named to Drag Racing’s “Movers, Shakers, and Deal Makers” list, highlighting his rapid ascent in the sport.
Shumake continues to operate Shumake Racing in partnership with Scrappers Racing and Jasmine Salinas. He is actively pursuing sponsorship to expand his racing schedule for the remainder of the 2025 season. His combination of on-track performance and advocacy work has positioned him as a unique figure in NHRA Top Fuel competition.